~My thoughts are with my family right now~

Picture of Mom and us kids at our reunion in 2004-David, Me, Danny, Darell, Tori and Mom-lined up by how we were born.

Recently, my thoughts have been with my mother and my siblings as we work through the process of my Mother trying to pass away. She is still with us, but we have been told now for a week that "she has 2 hours", "won't make it through the day", "we have only days possibly hours". It is hard watching her diminish before our eyes. She is so thin and weak. Because she lives near me and I have cared for her continously since she moved down here over 3 years ago, my brothers and sister have individually come to visit to spend time with her this past week.
Mom has been suffering from severe dementia-Alzheimer disease and has been in skilled nursing for almost 2 years. She has now lost the ability to swallow and to know she needs to eat. She also smoked for 45 years and has emphesema and COPD. She quit smoking 20 years ago, but the damage was done. She has even been on full time oxygen for the last couple of years. The day I was called with the news they were taking her to the hospital, I was reminded of God's plan and that what she and I are experiencing, is the process of life. It is wonderful to have God in my life and how He guides me to feel His promptings with His spirit. Song lyrics I hear that brings home the love He has for us that I have listened to recently. It is amazing. I wanted to share a scripture that I actually looked up and saw printed on the back window of the van parked in front of me in the parking lot. "Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding" (Proverbs 3:5 KJV). This has become my new favorite scripture and is providing me strength right now. Isn't God good?? Out of the whole parking lot of Costco, this van parked in front of me...God knew I needed to see that.

A new angel for our family!!

I am so excited I just wanted to share with everyone. My youngest daughter had her ultrasound today as part of her OB activities during her pregnancy. She is still on track as her due date of October 4th. She also found out we are having a girl!!!! She has 2 sons, a 4 yr old and a 2 yr old already and was secretly inside hoping for a girl, but would take whatever God blessed her with. I decided to pull out one of my "little girl" cards and share the news with you. Isn't she a sweetie having tea party with her babies. I expect we may have a girlie, girl and will see much of this going on at her house. We have much to be thankful for and blessed about.

Now I need to get my sewing studio in order and get busy on girl stuff...I'm in heaven, ladies!!

~~Mother's Day Blessings to You!!!~~

A Happy Mother's Day wish and blessing to all my lovely blogging ladies. You are truly special to me and I pray each of you feel God's goodness in your lives as you share time with your families.

Spring is blooming at our house!!

Thought you might enjoy a few pictures of our yard and house. We are enjoying some beautiful spring weather here along the central coast in California including God's gentle sprinkle of rain. As you can see our home is nestled into a 1 acre sloping hillside. Ron and I designed our home about 22 years ago and had it built on this ever "work in progress" hillside parcel of land.


Here is one of the brick work flower beds my hubby completed a couple of years ago and planted...seems to be filling in better each year.

The rock roses and lavender blooms are beautiful along the right edge with the petite geranium blooms slowly coming along. I can see some areas that will need some extra care and additional flowers, but overall I am loving it!!

Here is our climbing pink rose bushes in bloom along the fence bordering our neighbors property and along the left side of our driveway. Aren't they just gorgeous??? The pictures don't do them justice.

God is so good and I feel truly blessed to even have a home at all. Will post more later as the ever evolving yard takes on more character.

Our local bi-annual antique faire

The day was gorgeous for the bi-annual antique show presentation. I had such a good time checking out all the special things each vendor brought to the show for sale. These "hens" are particular about the "old stuff" being 80% old/20% newer stuff. So there was a nice selection.

I'm only showing some of the shops that displayed outside. There were tons inside too.

I found so many of those beautiful architectural corner cabinets that so many have longed for here. My extremely talented friend, Rebecca of A Gathering Place, would have gone nuts with all to choose from and items to paint her pretty roses on.

I took random shots of just a few booths and I didn't know any of the folks in these pictures...but it was fun interacting with others that share the love of good sturdy furniture and pretty things.

You are probably wondering if I came away with anything??? You bet...I was looking for wall mirrors to put up in the hallway and found a few, but sadly didn't find exactly what I was looking for. I did however, come away with a couple of small rhinestone pins, I thought were beauties. Also 3 pieces of fabulous barkcloth remnants that are beauuutiful!!...for $3 for all!!! I did real good keeping my composure, but inside I was saying, yes!!! I wanted to get out of her booth really fast in case she changed her mind! Not sure what I'll use them for right now, but the brain is ticking.

Have a lovely weekend....aaaahhhhh!!!

~My Mother~~

Approximately 17 yrs old- 1945

Today is a tribute to my mother. She was born April 30, 1928 in Emporia, Kansas. Yes, she was a Kansas farm girl that went city. Her words, "I love tar and cement, never want to live on a farm again". Well alrighty, then!! Her favorite song though, is Kansas City.

She is still living, however Mom has been declining these past years and lives at assisted living/convalescent home these days. She lived a vibrant life and enjoyed her 5 children. She worked hard and her only "outside" profession was that of a waitress. She loved interacting with people and was quite good at it.

Mom has 10 grandchildren and 15 great grandchildren.

Mom, how she looked at her Assisted Care Home - 2006

Our weekend getaway!!

This past weekend Ron and I celebrated our 39th anniversary. We couldn't have asked for better weather. We stayed in Pacific Grove, about two hours north of where we live near the beautiful Monterey Bay. We stayed at this charming B&B and was well taken care of. We didn't make any reservations before we left and we just sort of "happened" on this hotel and it was lovely. Gourmet breakfasts each morning. We felt truly "loved".

Centrella Hotel

We had a great time walking the small, quaint town and checking out small thrift shops and antique stores. We found a few fun things. We had our anniversary meal at an "international restaurant" and it was pretty good. Very healthy food and nice atmosphere. We had a nice romantic table by the window.
On Sunday, as we were leaving, we couldn't resist driving the 10 short miles to Carmel-by-the Sea and take a couple of pictures of the church we were married in 39 years ago.

Church of the Wayfarer

We had a chance to visit with the present minister (our minister, who married us, we learned from our last visit, had passed away about 10 years ago). Pastor Norman was a kind and caring man and showed us around and how little the church had really changed. We had been inside a couple of other times since we had been married. Thomas Kinkade had painted this very church and Ron and I had obtained it last year and shared our excitement of owning it with Pastor Norman. He said that Thom had come to the church to unveil the one they have in the foyer when he painted it 4 years ago. We thanked him for the time he spent with us and he invited us back anytime.